Barclays Branches Targeted in Protests Against Tax Avoidance

A protester from UK Uncut raises his arms as he takes part in an occupation of a branch of Barclays bank in central London. Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

More than 50 branches of Barclays bank across the UK have been targeted by activists protesting against tax avoidance.

The direct action by UK Uncut, taking place in more than 30 towns and cities including London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, came as Barclays was forced to admit it paid just £113m in UK corporation tax in 2009 – a year when it rang up a record £11.6bn of profits.

A UK Uncut spokesman said: "We are hoping to very peacefully and legally send a big message to Barclays that paying 1% corporation tax is not really acceptable."

There are around 10 different protests underway in central London with protesters staging a live stand-up comedy show, a breakfast club for children and setting up a library.

Ruth Griffiths, 36, a UK Uncut supporter, said: "Today we are transforming the banks into schools, leisure centres and libraries and forests because it's society that's too big to fail, not a broken banking system."

Earlier this morning protesters gathered outside the entrance of the Barclays branch at Piccadilly Circus, holding banners saying: "People before profits" and chanting "books not bonuses" as they made an impromptu library outside the building.

Further

Lord, what would John Lennon have made of the Trump monster? Marking Thursday's 36th anniversary of Lennon's murder, Yoko Ono posted a plea for gun control, calling his death "a hollowing experience" and pleading, "Together, let's bring back America, the green land of Peace." With so many seeking solace in these ugly times, mourns one fan, "Oh John, you really should be here." Lennon conceded then, and likely would now, "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."